Federation Support Program strengthens Brazilian judo and expands opportunities across the country

The Brazilian Judo Confederation nationwide initiative, strengthened by the official sponsorship of BNDES, transforms investments into improved infrastructure, technical development, social inclusion and long-term growth, reinforcing the national network of state judo federations.

By CBJ
Curitiba / Brazil, July 3, 2026

No sport can achieve sustainable development without strong federations, well-organized competitions and equal opportunities throughout the country. Guided by these principles, the Brazilian Judo Confederation (CBJ) has, over the past several years, implemented a long-term policy aimed at strengthening its state federations, recognizing that the continued growth of Brazilian judo depends on the development of its entire organizational structure.

The Federation Support Program (PAF) expands and modernizes the technological infrastructure used in official competitions © CBJ

In 2026, this strategy has gained new momentum through the Federation Support Program (PAF), an initiative created by CBJ and expanded through investments made possible by the official sponsorship of the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES). More than simply providing financial resources, the program reinforces the foundations of Brazilian judo by increasing the operational capacity of state federations, improving the quality of competitions, reducing regional disparities and creating better working conditions for athletes, coaches, referees and sports administrators.

The 2026 CBI Troféu Brasil BNDES Senior, held at Professor Aecim Tocantins Sports Complex in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, was conducted using the four official competition areas and equipment supplied through the Federation Support Program (PAF) © CBJ

This year, the program’s investments will benefit more than 18,000 children and young people through the modernization of sports infrastructure at state federations. In addition, another 10,000 athletes and coaches will be positively impacted through stronger national competitions and greater technical standardization of events.

According to CBJ President Paulo Wanderley Teixeira, strengthening state federations means strengthening Brazilian judo itself.

“Our commitment is to create the conditions that allow every region of the country to develop judo with quality, proper infrastructure and long-term planning.”

The final stage of the Brazilian Cadet Championships, at the SESI Arena in Simões Filho, Bahia, featured the official competition areas and technological infrastructure provided by the Federation Support Program (PAF) © CBJ

Strengthening state federations

The national strategy to reinforce state federations is implemented through an integrated set of initiatives that combines sports infrastructure, technology, support for participation in competitions and social development. Together, these actions contribute to the sustainable growth of judo across every region of Brazil.

One of the Federation Support Program’s main initiatives is the modernization of the infrastructure used during official competitions. In 2026, nine state federations hosting the Regional Brazilian Championships and the final stages of national events will receive four official competition areas, comprising a total of 329 tatami mats.

Installation of the competition areas for the CBI Troféu Brasil BNDES Senior in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, followed the standards established by the International Judo Federation (IJF) © CBJ

The delivery of these tatami sets has already been completed in the states of Sergipe, Mato Grosso and Bahia. The next phase will include Santa Catarina, Minas Gerais, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio de Janeiro and Maranhão, further expanding the federations’ capacity to organize competitions under standardized conditions and with higher technical quality.

According to Paulo Wanderley, upgrading competition infrastructure represents a lasting investment in the future of the sport.

“When we strengthen our federations, we provide better conditions for athletes, coaches, referees and administrators to perform their work while raising the overall standard of competitions throughout Brazil.”

Another view of the competition infrastructure prepared for the Brazilian U15 Championships in Aracaju, Sergipe © CBJ

The program also includes the delivery of technological equipment to improve competition management, including laptops, printers, television monitors and certified competition scales. Part of this equipment has already been delivered to the participating federations, while the remaining distribution stages will complete the implementation of the program in the states scheduled for this season.

Investment that expands opportunities

The Federation Support Program (PAF) also plays a direct role in democratizing access to national competitions. In a country of continental dimensions such as Brazil, travel costs remain one of the greatest challenges for states with more limited financial resources.

To help overcome this barrier, the program provides financial assistance for delegations competing in the Brazilian U13, U15, Cadet, Junior and Senior Championships. Each participating state federation receives support for the travel of five delegation members: two female athletes, two male athletes and one coach, increasing participation in the country’s premier national events.

Tatami mats being loaded at the manufacturing facility in Registro, São Paulo, before distribution to the state federations supported by the Federation Support Program (PAF) © CBJ

The initiative promotes technical exchange among Brazil’s different regions while fostering the development of athletes and coaches and expanding the sport’s competitive base. By reducing geographical and financial barriers, CBJ encourages more balanced and inclusive growth for Brazilian judo.

According to CBJ President Teixeira, expanding access to national competitions also means expanding opportunities.

“We want talented athletes from every region of the country to have the opportunity to compete, continue their development and demonstrate their potential on the tatami.”

Athlete safety remains one of the key priorities guiding investments made through the Federation Support Program (PAF) © CBJ

Development that creates a lasting legacy

The impact of the Federation Support Program (PAF) extends far beyond sports infrastructure. The initiative integrates education, social inclusion and high-performance sport, strengthening Brazilian judo from local communities all the way to the elite level.

Delivery of tatami mats supplied through the Federation Support Program (PAF) to the headquarters of the Sergipe Judo Federation, in Aracaju, Sergipe © CBJ

By combining infrastructure, technology, access to competition and human development, the Brazilian Judo Confederation (CBJ) has established a policy capable of generating long-term results. Every investment strengthens state federations, creates new opportunities for athletes and sports professionals, enhances the quality of competitions and contributes to building a stronger, more integrated sporting system capable of sustaining the continued growth of Brazilian judo.

“Judo is a powerful tool for human development. Investing in children and young people means investing not only in the future of our sport, but also in the education and development of better citizens,” says Paulo Wanderley.

Preliminary rounds of the Brazilian Cadet Championships in Simões Filho, Bahia, conducted on four official competition areas © CBJ

A development policy for the future

Created with the mission of strengthening Brazil’s state federations, the Federation Support Program (PAF) has become one of the Brazilian Judo Confederation’s most important institutional development initiatives. In 2026, boosted by investments made possible through the official sponsorship of the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES), the program has expanded its reach while reaffirming a management philosophy based on strategic planning, decentralized investment and a strong commitment to measurable results.

Electronic scoreboards enhance the quality and accuracy of information throughout official competitions © CBJ

The benefits generated by the program extend well beyond the annual competition calendar. Better-equipped and more structured state federations are able to organize higher-quality events, strengthen clubs and grassroots projects, provide improved working conditions for athletes, coaches and referees, and ultimately raise the technical standard of competitions nationwide.

The video review system contributes to greater accuracy in refereeing decisions during official competitions © CBJ

This comprehensive approach reinforces one of CBJ’s core principles: strengthening the state federations means strengthening Brazilian judo as a whole. By transforming investment into opportunity, infrastructure into development, and planning into tangible results, the Brazilian Judo Confederation continues to consolidate a national policy focused on the sustainable growth of the sport and on developing future generations of judoka throughout Brazil.

“The Federation Support Program represents a permanent policy for strengthening our state federations and advancing Brazilian judo. We will continue investing to ensure this work reaches an even greater number of states, athletes and development projects,” concludes CBJ President Paulo Wanderley Teixeira.

The Brazilian Judo Confederation receives official sponsorship from the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) and institutional support from the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB).

Tatami mats provided through the Federation Support Program (PAF) stored at the factory before shipment to the state of Sergipe © CBJ